Defiant Wolfsburg edge Milan into second
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
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AC Milan 2-2 VfL Wolfsburg
The German club came from behind twice to earn a draw against the Rossoneri, secure top spot in UEFA Cup Group E and keep Milan in second.
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VfL Wolfsburg twice came from behind to earn a draw against AC Milan and seal top spot in UEFA Cup Group E.
Sağlık saver
The Bundesliga club started the game with three wins from as many matches in the section yet they were soon behind when Massimo Ambrosini headed in a corner from Clarence Seedorf. The teams then traded goals early in the second half as Italian international Cristian Zaccardo levelled, only for Pato to restore the Rossoneri's lead 49 seconds later. Wolfsburg's efforts were rewarded, though, nine minutes from time when a shot from Jacek Krzynówek was deflected in by fellow substitute Mahir Sağlık to consign Milan to second place in the section.
Ambrosini goal
Milan suffered an early setback when the injured Philippe Senderos was replaced by Kakha Kaladze after nine minutes and shortly after, Christian Gentner had a shot blocked by Dida. At the other end, Gianluca Zambrotta's effort was saved by Diego Benaglio though Milan soon forged ahead when Ambrosini headed powerfully in after 17 minutes.
Crossbar struck
Wolfsburg surged forward in search of an equaliser and almost succeeded in the 26th minute when Edin Džeko headed a cross from Marcel Schäfer against the crossbar. Gentner was next to threaten, his stinging drive from outside the penalty area forcing Dida into action, while on the half-hour mark, Benaglio thwarted Andriy Shevchenko, just as the Ukrainian looked set to double Milan's lead.
Quick-fire strikes
Dida saved well from Džeko's long-range effort at the start of the second period but was powerless to prevent Wolfsburg equalising after 56 minutes when Schäfer's left-wing cross into the area found Zaccardo, who slotted past the Brazilian with his right foot. Within 49 seconds, though, Milan were ahead again as Filippo Inzaghi teed up Pato, whose right-footed shot was too good for Benaglio. But with time running out, Sağlık turned in a powerful strike from Krzynówek to earn Wolfsburg a point, securing the German club a tie against a third-placed team from another group.